1996 Stock Radio is it Line leve out?

[jwrezz]

I've seen so many contradicting things. I have a 1996, I'm assuming the slightly above the worst one. According to Crutchfield it's NOT JBL, and WITH auto-set button. AM/FM Cassette. It has an external amp above the pass rear wheel well. Are the head unit's out-puts line level? If not, are they strong enough to drive speakers by them selves (ie, I'd need a Line out converter)? I just got a Sony Explod 5 channel amp. It has trims for the input levels (front and rear) as well as high passes, and a LPF for the sub out. I'm thinking that a line-out-converter wouldn't be necessary w/ this amp. Is there some info on my stock wiring? Like a web page w/ the harness, and each wire w/ a color code, and what it does? I'd like to just tap into the 8 radio outs, and run them right to the amp. I'm of course getting new speakers, as well as adding a sub. For now I'm gonna keep the stock head, If need be, I'll upgrade that later. Thanx for any help you guys can give!

 

[farmsicles]

In my 1992 Eddie Bauer there are 2 in the cargo area behins the right panel. I think it goes the same for '96's too. Hy stock head unit outputs line level, because when i put a Sony Xplod head unit in mine, i just turned it up one noch, and it was blarin. So i guess you could tap into the existing wiring from the head unit and connect into your amp.
Hope this helps. Lemme know what happens, ya?

 

[danq]

You could bypass the amp with an amp bypass harness, but......I have installed many stereos in cars with the amp and not bypassed the amp and never had a problem. The only time I had to use the amp bypass on any fords is when the amplifier was busted. This would lead me to believe that the inputs on the amp from ford are high level inputs.

Worst case scenario: You blow up the factory amp and then you bypass it with the bypass harness.

danman

 

[jwrezz]

Thanx, but you misunderstood my question. I'm not gonna use the stock amp at all. That's why I got a new 5 ch sony amp. I wanted to know if the head unit outs going into the stock amp were above line level. If they're too hot, I'd get a line out converter, but if they line level and can not adequately drive the speakers w/ out the amp, they I will NOT use the line out converter, just put some RCA's on the head unit speaker leads, and run to my new sony amp. Thanx again for the help. Any more info would be appreciated.

 

[danq]

OK....
Here is what I would do. I would get the ford amp bypass. Cut it in half. Take the leads out of the input side of the cut harness and wire them to an line out converter. Then go from there into the new amp with a couple of rca's. This solves the problem of actually cutting your factory harness and eliminates any need for figuring out wiring.

danq

 

[jwrezz]

Now there's a good idea! I knew I'd get the info I needed! Now, I know I can pick up a line out conv. any where, even walmart, but the amp bypass harness is an other story. Where can i get one of those? Thanx again to danq, and all!

 

[danq]

I install at best buy. I would advise against some of the really cheap line out converters. I have installed a couple cheapos with grounding problems, but, never ever ever had a problem with the ones we sell at best buy. They are made by edge install and are distributed by rockford fosgate. They may be a little more money then the cheapos but they are super reliable. Also see your best buy installer for the amp bypass harness. It comes as part of the ford eliminator harness from metra.

Hope everything works out.
good luck
danq